Google should not buy Twitter

Opinion story written for The Daily Orange, Syracuse University’s independent student newspaper

Story ran in print on February 16th, 2015

Published on the web on February 16th, 2015

Summary:

“At the beginning of this month, Twitter announced a deal with Google to make tweets searchable in Google search results. It’s the first step to solving Twitter’s problem of slowing growth in monthly active users. With tweets showing up in Google search results, Twitter hopes that non-users will learn about Twitter and sign up.

The partnership is resurfacing some discussion about whether or not Google could dig into its pile of cash and buy Twitter. The buzz is not new. At the end of January, Twitter shares rose on yet another round of rumors that Google was interested in an acquisition.

There’s good reason for the speculation, but Google should be smart enough to know that buying Twitter would be like buying a fancy garden statue. It’s cool to have, but it’s way too expensive and has little function.”